Thanksgiving is the time for family and friends to gather around a harvest table to enjoy a hearty meal and good conversation. And nothing sets the mood better than a seasonally decorated tabletop. Here are some quick tips on how to dress your table to impress.
According to Canadian interior designer Jane Lockhart, host of the W Network’s Colour Confidential, one of this fall’s biggest decorating trends is the use of natural materials. Think wooden bowls filled with pinecones and acorns, woven placemats and candlesticks wrapped with raffia.
With that in mind, Lockhart suggests making a Thanksgiving centre piece statement by filling a large bowl or basket with mini-pumpkins, gourds, and green and red apples. “Avoid high centre pieces so they don’t block people’s views across the table,” she says, adding, “I also like to add a decorative runner in a sage green or brown to ground the table overall.”
As with any type of decorating, the key is to strike the right balance. “Don’t add too much to the table so that it’s difficult for people to move or spread out for dinner,” warns Lockhart. “Think function before decoration to avoid too much table clutter.”
Just a few table accessories in fall colours — napkins, napkin rings, plate chargers, a runner, place cards, a few candles and a beautiful centre piece — go a long way to creating a memorable Thanksgiving dinner. And if ‘bling’ is your thing, Lockhart suggests adding a couple of mirrored candleholders or plate chargers to the mix.
Jane Lockhart will be speaking at the International Home Show at the International Centre in Mississauga taking place this Thanksgiving weekend.
